What do we learn from the Torah?

Some examples of traditional religious teachings: The study of Torah is “equal to all” of the mitzvot of honouring one’s parents, performing deeds of lovingkindness, and bringing peace between people.

Why is it important to follow the Torah?

The Torah plays a big part in the lives of Jews today as it is believed to be the word of God. All Jews use the Torah to help guide them in their lives, but some Jews use the Torah more strictly than others. For example, some Orthodox Jews believe that it is important to follow every single rule in the Torah.

Why do we read the Torah every week?

The origin of the first public Torah readings is found in the Book of Nehemiah, where Ezra the scribe writes about wanting to find a way to ensure the Israelites would not go astray again. This led to the creation of a weekly system to read the portions of the Torah at synagogues.

Why is it important to learn about Judaism?

Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, dating back nearly 4,000 years. Followers of Judaism believe in one God who revealed himself through ancient prophets. The history of Judaism is essential to understanding the Jewish faith, which has a rich heritage of law, culture and tradition.

How do we show respect to the Torah?

Jews use a pointer to keep their place when reading from the Torah scroll. This is to show respect for the scroll and to prevent the readers from spoiling the parchment by touching it with their fingers. The pointer is called a ‘Yad’ which means ‘hand’ because it is in the shape of a hand with a pointing finger.

What is the moral code for Judaism?

The Torah is the primary source for Jewish ethics, or the 613 mitzvot, a Hebrew word that literally means ‘commandments. ‘ The Talmud, or commentaries written by Jewish thinkers before the 6th century, teaches that the Ten Commandments are actually ten categories of commandments from God.